PGN FEATURE: Having a ‘Great Time,’ Block Remains True to Himself

UPPER ARLINGTON, Ohio — At the end of Wednesday afternoon’s U.S. Senior Open press conference, Michael Block was asked about the haircut Anthony “Monti” Montanez gave him around an hour earlier.

The pair linked up in 2018 at the U.S. Open at Shinnecock and after Montanez posted on Instagram that he was in the Upper Arlington area. Between Wednesday night’s World Cup game, this major championship and Saturday being the Fourth of July, it seemed to be a natural time for Block to have USA shaved on the back of his head.

Michael Block looks on from the 13th hole during the first round of the 2026 U.S. Senior Open at Scioto Country Club in Columbus, Ohio on Thursday, July 2, 2026. (Jeff Haynes/USGA)

Since the 2023 PGA Championship, Michael Block has been a known commodity to golf fans worldwide and in today’s age of social media, everyone had an opinion.

“I’ve never been used to that whole part of it, the social media aspect of it, which I never see in real life,” Block admitted. “There’s a lot of guys out there on the screens that like to talk. That’s been the weirdest part for me because all I ever do is go out and have a great time, have a great time with the members, have a great time with the amateur partners and pro ams, have fun with the volunteers and have a great time with the players, and that’s all I do.

“If certain people don’t like my reaction on me actually showing a little bit of emotion, then they’ve got a problem with themselves.”

To some, Block’s actions when he makes a birdie or crucial par, as he did many times at the Dick’s Sporting Goods Open last week on PGA Tour Champions, cross the line and are overkill, but he views it differently.

There was a lot of unknown across the board last week.

How would Block be received by his peers? Would fans take to him? Could he compete? What would success look like for him?

This and probably a myriad of other questions played out throughout and because Block grew up with those on the PGA Tour Champions, his nerves were more present, even in comparison to 2023.

Compete he did and even in spite of a triple bogey on the last hole, tied for ninth place in his maiden voyage on the senior tour.

His reactions when he makes putts now are on purpose because he already had visualized himself making his efforts.

As far as his peers, Darren Clarke and Retief Goosen are among those who sought him out after multiple rounds placed him in contention and offered a fist bump.

At week’s end to him one thing was clear. He belonged.

Through it all Block has stayed true to himself, his personality clearly worn on his sleeve, saying what he feels needs to be said.

It was why for him his perspective is crucial.

“I’m a club professional first,” reminded Block. “I’m not a tour pro first. I’m a tour pro probably third or fourth. So, a club professional, basically my job is to go out there and make sure that everybody at the club is having a great time and customer service. So that’s what I’m kind of used to. I love to talk. I love to go out, and I love to have a good time.”

Block is not the first club professional out on tour in recent years, as both Jason Caron and Rob Labritz have experienced success.

Earlier this week, Padraig Harrington talked about playing in eight consecutive weeks and Block offered perspective that for him eight weeks is a season and that he is content doing that for a couple of years.

Block, who turned 50 just over two weeks ago, is prepared to give up tournament golf after that, stating that 50-to-55-years old is the prime out the champions tour.

Of course, that sentiment is subject to change if he can continue to perform.

A big part of Block’s development has come from trying to get rid of negative thoughts and for three to five years his response was writing why not on his golf ball.

Why not be him? Why not hit a good shot?

During Thursday’s opening round, a 2-over par 72, Block was unsure of what happened to his game but knew he did not play particularly well or as he put it, everything was off.

Instead of going into a downward headspace, Block utilized his perspective and, on a day, where the heat index approached 118 degrees, he did enough to remain in contention.

Twice within the past week, Block referenced a dream he had around a year ago that he was going to win his first U.S. Senior Open when he turned 50.

It was a point of reference in a 3-for-2 playoff in qualifying to get into the field this week.

“I didn’t lose my s***, so that was good,” Block reminded. “I can lose my s*** and I didn’t today so — because to be honest, it was mainly 99 percent my fault. When it’s my fault, I just look in the imaginary mirror, where we’ve all seen what I do, and try to learn what I’ve been doing wrong and try to fix it. So, I did.

“I came down the stretch. I had a great 4-iron there into 8, my 17th hole; didn’t quite work out, but whatever. I hit a lot of good shots, and they were just hitting the wrong sides of these bowls. The greens are gnarly. The greens are awesome. It’s a good test. I just want to get after it tomorrow. I can’t wait for 12:40.”